Cap shell orienter



March 17, 1970 c. YANN 3,500,981

CAP SHELL ORIENTER Filed Oct. 23, 1967 r 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1': n HI I .1. I I

Inventor 3o CARL C. YANH Jig MM :H-ktorneg/ MIN" March 17, 1970 c. c. (ANN 3,500,981

- CAP SHELL ORIENTER Filed 0st. 25, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I'm/entbr CARL C. YAN N United States Patent 3,500,981 CAP SHELL ORIENTER Carl C. Yann, Valley Station, Ky., assignor to Chemetron Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 23, 1967, Ser. No. 677,237 Int. Cl. B65g 47/02 US. Cl. 198-30 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for orienting shells from separated sources having a perforated rotary disc which is connected with a negative pressure source to move separated lines of the shells and arrange them into a single file without turning them over or creating a jam.

This invention relates in general to an apparatus for controlling the movement of closures between machines where progressive operations are performed in the process of closure manufacturing.

The nonpilferable closure comprises a cup-shaped shell member having a generally flat top portion and a cylindrical skirt which extends from the top portion. As the shells are formed from a supply of pliable sheet material into the finished nonpilferable cap, various mechanical operations are progressively performed on the shells by a line of associated pieces of apparatus. The rough caps are blanked from the sheet material and then drawn into the cup shape by multiple forming dies. Thereafter, the skirt is trimmed and embossed and otherwise worked as will be recognized by those skilled in the art. The draw dies have a plurality of cavities discharging multiple shells for each stroke of the press which requires a means to maintain control of the shells with their open ends oriented when converging the random discharged shells into a single profile for the following operation.

This invention provides apparatus for retaining control over the continuous supply of shells which converge from a plurality of simultaneously discharging supply lines and for registering them into a single file for further working. Preformed closure shells are fed through a plurality of chutes by suitable air jets to the surface of a rotary perforated disc. As the disc rotates, the shells are held to the surface of the disc by the suction from a negative pressure blower mechanism. The shells are deposited in a line on the disc and move out of the path of the next line of oncoming shells without crossing each others paths. As the shells rotate with the disc they are cammed into a single file by a guide rail assembly. The guide rail is hinged and spring loaded to release shells in the event that an interference or jam occurs in the single file of shells. A central cogged wheel which is mounted above and is rotated with the disc positions and helps propel the shells into the single file toward a discharge chute. Since the rotary disc is perforated, air passing through the openings stabilizes the shells and holds them in an upright fashion to the surface of the disc. The rotary disc is tilted so that any shells which have fallen over on their sides roll out of the single file without jamming the apparatus. A cover plate may be mounted above the disc at predetermined distance which permits the shells to pass below when they are positioned on their closed ends but prevents them from tipping over onto their sides.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus for movement of container shells during their formation.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus which expeditiously handles closure shells continuously provided from a plurality of supply lines.

An additional object of this invention is to provide ap- 3,5 00,981 Patented Mar. 17, 1970 paratus for aligning closure shells in a substantially continuously and automatic fashion.

Still another object of this invention is to provide apparatus that is economically feasible for installation in a system which continuously forms non-pilferable closures for final attachment to the container being closed.

A feature of this invention is to provide novel means for orienting shells.

Further objects as well as features and advantages of an illustrated embodiment thereof proceeds and is given for the purpose of disclosure and is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like character references designate like parts throughout the several views and where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus incorporating the principles of this invention and showing enlarged forming means;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a fragmentary portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with portions being removed to illustrate this invention; and

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to the several FIGURES and first to FIG. 1, cap shells 10 which are preformed to a cup-like shape and have a generally flat top portion 11 and an integral skirt portion 13 are conveyed from first draw apparatus (not shown) along a transfer track 12 toward a draw press 14. The shells are fed into the press 14 with the skirt portion extending generally upwardly as shown in FIG. 1. During the drawing operation in the press 14, the shells are fed onto a die 16 with the open end of the cap shell 10' positioned to receive a reciprocating punch 18. The line of shells on the infeed side of the die 16 are moved toward the draw ring 20 by an air jet (not shown). When the draw ring 20 is raised by the ram of the press, the line of shells moves forward to load the die cavity with one of the shells. On the downward stroke of the press 14, the draw ring 20 enters the open end of the shell and positions the shell against the face of the die 16 as the stroke of the press continues. The punch 18 and the die 16 cooperate to reform the shell as it is pushed through the die. On the upward stroke of the press, the reformed shell 10 having a smaller top portion and a longer skirt portion is dislodged from the punch by cooperation of a sharp under surface 22 of the die 16 and an air jet which is blown through an opening 24 formed in the punch 18. The shell is propelled by the air through a conduit 26 toward a cap shell orienter 28 comprising this invention. FIG. 1 illustrates only one conduit 26, however, this invention contemplates the use of a plurality of conduits 26 directing shells from multiple dies toward the orienter 28.

The orienter includes a frame 30 which houses a suitably mounted fan motor 32 and a blower 34 (-FIG. 4). The blower 34 exhausts air through a louvered side panel 36 in the frame 30. The forward end of the frame 30 is sloped downwardly toward the front of the apparatus and is covered by a base plate 38 having a generally L-shaped opening 40 formed therein (FIG. 3). The apparatus provides the most favorable results when the base plate is inclined at 30 to from the horizontal. The drive motor 42 is further connected through the base plate 38 to a gear reduction box 44 which is connected to a cog wheel and an interengaging chain 45, which are mounted below the base plate 38. The chain 45 operatively engages a cogged drive shaft 46 (FIG. 4) mounted through a hub 48 which is fastened in the base plate 38. The drive shaft 46 extends upwardly through the hub 48 3 bove the base plate 38 and carries a circular disc 50 nd a central star wheel 52. The disc 50 slides on the ase plate 38 and the star wheel 52 is spaced a short dislnce above the disc. Both the disc 50 and the star wheel 2 are keyed to the drive shaft 46 so that as the drive haft is rotated by the drive means hereinbefore decribed, the disc and star wheel rotate at the same speed 1 the direction of the arrow 54. The disc and star wheel re mounted parallel to the base plate and thus are inlined to the same degree from the horizontal. The diamter of the star wheel 52 is smaller than that of the isc 50 so as to expose an annular upper surface of the isc. The disc 50 is perforated with through-holes '6 ormed in a closely adjacent arrangement with respect 3 each other in the area of the exposed annular surface.

The conduits 26 through which the shells are being ropelled mount through openings 57 formed in a bridge iember 58 which is mounted to the base plate 38 and spaced above the base plate so that the star Wheel 52 nd disc 50 can rotate therebelow without interference. he bridge 58 is positioned so that its longitudinal axis Les on a common chordal plane passing through both the Iheel 52 and the disc 50. The openings 57 are arranged bove the perforated upper annular surface of the disc '0 and thus the conduits 26 open onto the disc. As the hells are blown from the conduits 26, the top portion l deposited on the perforated surface with the skirt porion extending upwardly away from the surface. The disc 0 rotates at a speed sufficient to move each shell which as been deposited on the perforated surface away from elow the opening of the conduit before the next shell expelled from such conduit and deposited on the isc. The shells come down the conduit 26 in a sepaated manner since they are separately drawn through he press 14. However, since the press reciprocates rapidy, the line of deposited shells must be moved quickly rom below the conduits. The bridge is spaced sufficiently ar above the upper surface of the disc 50 so that the upight shells can move from below the bridge without ilting or tipping.

The deposited shells are held to the disc by suction rom the operation of the blower 34. That is, the moveaent of air through the holes by the blower 34 creates reduced pressure area adjacent the surface of the disc 0 which holds the shells to the disc. In order to assist he movement of a line of deposited shells from below he conduits 26, an air assist member 60 is mounted to ac base plate 38 with a plurality of jets impinging on he deposited shells. The jets help to stabilize the shells s they are moved along an upwardly inclined path on he disc. An air tube 62 is connected between the air member 60 and a separate air source (not shown) for onducting air to the jets of the air member. The shells [1'6 moved away from the bridge 58 in spaced rows s shown in FIG. 1 without crossing each others paths.

As the lines of shells rotate along an arcuate path with he disc 50, they are camrned into a single file upon engagement with a guide rail 64 which is mounted to the Iase plate 38 and lies above a portion of the surface )f the disc. The guide rail 64 is attached to an arm '66 vhich is pivotall mounted at 68 to the base plate. A pring member 70 is attached to the free end of the arm i6 and tends to bias the guide rail 64 toward wheel 52. \n L-shaped stop member 72 is positioned on the base late 38 to limit the rotation of the arm 66 and thus a fix the position of the guide rail 64 relative to the peiphery of the wheel 52. The distance between a free end 3 of the guide rail and the wheel 52 at the highest loint of its slope is slightly longer than the diameter of he shells and defines a path along which the single file bf shells move. The portion of the rail adjacent the arm $6 lies just over the periphery of the disc 50. Thus it an be seen that the lines of the shells are moved along lntil they engage a curved portion 65 of the guide rail of be free end 63 whereby they are camrned into the single ile. It can be seen that if the area of the disc 50 between the guide rail 64 and the central star wheel 52 becomes jammed or overcrowded with shells, the spring member 70 yields and the excess shells are thrown from the machine without damage. The L-shaped opening 40 formed in the base plate 38 has the general configuration of the area between the star wheel 52 and the guide rail '64 and extends from the openings 57 to a pre-selected position beyond the outer end of the guide rail 64.

The outer rim of the central star wheel 52 has a cogged surface which helps position and propel the shells into a single file toward a discharge chute shown generally at 74. Included in the discharge chute are a guide rail 76 and a guide bar 78 which mount to the base plate 38 in a suitable manner and extend above the disc 50. The guide rail 76 and the guide bar 78 form a chute having a width slightly longer than the diameter of the shell to receive the single file of shells being moved along from the outer end of the guide rail 64. The guide bar 78 has a bevelled surface 80 so that any caps which have tipped over onto their sides are easily ejected from the file of the shells before moving out of the apparatus. The rotational movement of the disc 50 helps move any tipped shell over the guide bar 78, however, an air assist member may be added to blow any tipped cap over the bar. The bridge 58 is spaced sufficiently above the upper surface of the disc 50 so that any cap rolling over the guide bar 78 can pass below the bridge without touching the same. To assist the movement of the single file of caps from the apparatus the air jet member 82 is p sitioned across and above the guide rail 76. The member 82 is connected to the air source through a conduit 84. The rotation of the disc 50 is sufiicient to advance the caps through the chute and push the caps from the disc but a positive jet of air directed from the member 82 aids in propelling the shells through the discharge chute 74 and away from the apparatus.

A perforated cover member 86 (FIG. 1) covers at least the portions of the rotary disc 50 on which the shells are moving. It is positioned a preselected distance above the disc so that the shells can pass freely therebelow in an upright fashion but cannot turn over. The area comprising the perforations in the cover member 86 are configured to correspond generally to the shape of the L-shaped opening 40 and are aligned above said opening. The movement of air as it passes through the perforations in the cover member and the disc and toward the L-shaped opening through the operation of the blower and out through the louvered side panel 36 stabilizes the shells and helps to hold the shells in an upright fashion on the disc 50 as it rotates. A stop member 88 is fixed to the cover member 86 and is positioned above the guide bar 78. The stop member 88 cooperates with the discharge chute 74 and helps prevent tipping of the shells 10 as they are moved single file from the disc 50 and away from the apparatus. The cover member 86 can be taken off and the device will still function but then the stop member 88 is individually mounted above the guide bar 78 with sufiicient distance between the bar and stop member so that tipped shells can roll between them.

Thus, this invention receives shells from press means through a plurality of lines and transfers them in a single line away from apparatus comprising this inven-- tion. The shells are discharged from the press with the open end of the shell up and deposited on the rotary perforated disc with the top of the caps being attracted to the upper surface of the disc. The disc is backed by a formed air inlet which is suitable connected to the negative pressure source. The suction of the air holds the shells to the perforated disc as it rotates. The air inlet reduces in width and in cooperation in the formed guide rail, the shells are closed into a single line. The shells are discharged into the discharge track which is located on the descending slope of the disc. Air is applied to the single line of the shells in the discharge track to blow the shells from the apparatus. In order to distribute the air, holes are formed in the cover plate. The air moving vertically over the shells aids in keeping them upright. The cover plate is located high enough to allow clearance for the upright caps yet low enough to prevent tilting.

Thus, it Will be appreciated that all of the recited objects, advantages and features of this invention have been demonstrated as obtainable in a highly practical apparatus and one that is simple and positive in operation. It will be further understood that although the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments thereof, this invention is not limited thereto, since various modifications of said invention will suggest themselves from the aforesaid description and are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the appended claims wherein there is claimed:

1. Orienting apparatus for cylindrical shells which are closed at one of their ends comprising: conveyor means for supporting shells with their closed ends positioned on a portion of the conveyor means; means for sequentially depositing the shells in an upright position on the conveyor means for movement in an arcuate path; guide means for deflecting the shells from the arcuate path into a single file of shells, said guide means and said conveyor means adapted to move the shells in the single file on a lineal path off the conveyor means and from the apparatus; and a cover member positioned to cover substantially the entire portion of said conveyor means on which said shells are moved and spaced a preselected distance above the upright shells moving on said conveyor means but close enough to said shells for the lower surface of said cover member to engage the skirt of any shell tilting from the upright position whereby the tilting shell is prevented from falling over.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said guide means further comprises control means adapted to be engaged by the cylindrical side of a misoriented shell in the single file of shells, the misoriented shell being actuated by the conveyor means to remove the misoriented shell from the control means.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said guide means is actuatable for resilient movement by an excessive quantity of shells on the conveyor means which quantity occupies an area which is greater than the area on the conveyor means as defined by the guide means.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said conveyor comprises a rotatably mounted disc having a plurality of through-holes and the apparatus includes blower means disposed adjacent the holes in the disc for directing air past the shells on the disc and through the holes to stabilize the shells and hold the shells onto the disc.

5. Orienting apparatus for cylindrical shells which are closed at one of their ends comprising: a rotatably mounted disc having a plurality of through-holes for supporting shells with their closed ends positioned on disc; blower means disposed adjacent the holes in the disc for directing air past the shells on the disc and through the holes to stabilize the shells and hold the shells onto the disc; means for sequentially depositing the shells on the disc for movement in an arcuate path said depositing means comprising a plurality of aligned conduits which deposit the shells in successive lines on the disc; air assist means for directing air against each successive line of shells exiting from the conduits; and air jet means for directing air against the file of shells to assist their movement from the apparatus; and guide means for deflecting the shells from the arcuate path into a single file of shells, said guide means and said disc being adapted to move the shells in the single file on a lineal path olf the conveyor means and from the apparatus, said guide means comprising control means adapted to be engaged by the cylindrical side of a misoriented shell in the single file of shells, the misoriented shell being actuated by the disc to remove the misoriented shell from the control means.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a perforated cover member disposed above the disc and spaced a predetermined distance from the disc for passage of uprightly positioned shells as they are moved by the disc yet close enough to the disc to engage the skirt of any shells tipping from the upright position.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a star wheel mounted above the disc for rotation with the disc, the radius of the disc being larger than the star wheel, and the star wheel being positioned radially inwardly of the plurality of through-holes in the disc.

8. Apparatus for controlled movement of shells sequentially moving along separate supply paths, each shell having a cylindrical skirt closed on at least one end thereof comprising: a perforated rotary disc adapted to hold the shells in an upright position with the closed end on a portion of the disc and to move the shells along an arcuate path; means for depositing lines of the shells from the separate supply paths on the rotary disc; means for sequentially camming each line of shells into a single file of shells; and a cover member having a plurality of through-holes, said member being positioned to cover substantially the entire portion of said disc on which said shells are moved and being spaced a preselected distance above the upright shells moving on the disc but close enough to said shells for the lower surface of the cover member to engage the skirt of any shell tilting from the upright position whereby the tilting shell is prevented from falling over.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a discharge chute adapted to receive the single file of shells and to cooperate with the disc for conveying the shells from the apparatus and negative pressure means for directing air past the shells on the disc and through the perforations whereby the shells are stabilized and held to the disc.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said means for sequentially camming comprises a guide rail positioned above the disc and across the arcuate path of the shells, said rail being adapted to deflect the shells on the disc from the arcuate path into a lineal path along which the single file of shells moves.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said means for sequentially camming comprises a wheel positioned above and rotating with the disc, the diameter of said wheel being small enough to expose an annular upper surface portion of the disc which extends between the peripheries of the disc and wheel, the perforations being formed through the exposed annular surface portion of the disc and a guide rail is positioned above the disc to intersect the arcuate path of the shells, said rail having a straight portion positioned closely adjacent the rim of the wheel wherein said rail deflects the shells on the disc from the arcuate path into the lineal path.

12. Apparatus for controlled movement of shells sequentially moving along separate supply paths, each shell having a cylindrical skirt closed on at least one end thereof comprising: a perforated rotary disc adapted to hold the shells in an upright position with the closed end on the disc surface and to move the shells along an arcuate path; means for depositing lines of the shells from the separate supply paths on the rotary disc; means for sequentially camming each line of shells into a single file of shells, said means for sequentially camming comprises a wheel positioned above and rotating with the disc, the diameter of said wheel being small enough to expose an annular upper surface portion of the disc which extends between the peripheries of the disc and wheel, the perfo rations being formed through the exposed annular surface portion of the disc and a guide rail is positioned above the disc to intersect the arcuate path of the shells, said rail having a straight portion positioned closely adjacent the rim of the wheel wherein said rail deflects the shells on the disc from the arcuate path into the lineal path; a discharge chute adapted to receive the single file of shells and to cooperate with the disc for conveying the shells rom the apparatus; negative pressure means for directing ir past the shells on the disc and through the perforations lhereby the shells are stabilized and held to the disc; and leans for resiliently biasing said guide rail toward the heel, the closely positioned straight rail portion being .eld from the rim of the Wheel a distance approximately qual to the diameter of the shells in the single file.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the rim f the wheel is cogged and the discharge chute comprises ontrol means adapted to be engaged by the side of a allen shell in the single file of shells the fallen shell eing actuated by the conveyor means for ejection from he control means.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 further comrising first air assist means adjacent the depositing means or directing air against the line of shells being deposited ,nd second assist means for directing a jet of air against he file of shells and away from the apparatus.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 further com- References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,097,732 7/1963 Engleson et a1. l98-33 3,269,514 8/1966 Daniels 19833 3,285,387 11/1966 Ochs 198-33 3,292,765 12/1966 Loveless 198-30 3,330,402 7/1967 Schlueter 198-30 RICHARD E. AEGERTER, Primary Examiner D. D. WATTS, Assistant Examiner 

